Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Killing the Chicken to Scare the Monkey—Displaying the Corpse for Three Days
"Am I… having a child?"
Ah Yin froze momentarily, caught off guard by the sudden news. Yet, as unexpected as it seemed, it was perfectly logical.
After all, Zhou Yi had never been shy about indulging her.
Her being pregnant wasn't exactly surprising.
"Congratulations, Sister Ah Yin!"
Li Shishi and Li Baishi beamed brightly, stepping forward to offer their heartfelt congratulations.
This time, they weren't particularly envious.
Because deep down, they felt their turn might not be far off.
After all, Zhou Yi was equally enamored with them. Perhaps they too were already expecting—it just hadn't been long enough to confirm yet.
Zhou Yi clasped Ah Yin's hand, his joy evident.
Though it was his first time becoming a father, he brimmed with anticipation.
What's more, with the child's birth, his strength would undoubtedly soar. Reaching the rank of Titled Douluo might not be impossible!
And so, Ah Yin began enjoying the same treatment as Liu Erlong—nurturing her pregnancy.
Meanwhile, at night, Zhou Yi devoted himself to Li Shishi and Li Baishi, not just doting on them but also guiding their cultivation and helping them clear their meridians to accelerate their progress toward becoming formidable Soul Masters.
Two days later, Li Shishi and Li Baishi reached the 10th rank.
Zhou Yi took them to the nearby Soul Beast Forest, where he secured each of them a 500-year Soul Ring.
The two women were ecstatic.
In the terms of Douluo Continent, they were now true Soul Masters.
Even with just one Soul Ring, they were respected Soul Masters—powerhouses superior to over 90% of the continent's population.
"Thank you, husband!"
Their eyes sparkled with excitement as they each kissed Zhou Yi on the cheek.
"Well then, I won't hold back!"
Gazing at their radiant, enchanting beauty, Zhou Yi's heart stirred. Sweeping them into his arms, he ventured deeper into the Soul Beast Forest…
"Husband, no…"
As the sun dipped below the horizon, its rays blood-red, Zhou Yi returned to the Zhou Estate with Li Shishi and Li Baishi, both flushed and exhausted, cradled in his arms.
"Husband, you really are tireless!"
Liu Erlong, seeing the state of Li Shishi and Li Baishi, immediately understood what Zhou Yi had done and gave him a sidelong glance.
"Hard work is honorable—I love it!" Zhou Yi replied, his expression calm and collected.
After all, as long as he remained unbothered, it was others who would feel awkward.
Li Shishi and Li Baishi, overwhelmed with embarrassment, buried their faces in Zhou Yi's chest, unable to face anyone.
Carrying them, Zhou Yi retreated to their chambers.
Days passed, marked by the rising sun and setting moon.
One morning, Sword Douluo Chenxin arrived to bid farewell to Zhou Yi.
"Teacher, I plan to return to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect today. I've come to take my leave."
"Go ahead," Zhou Yi said, nodding without much reaction.
"I will await your esteemed arrival at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Teacher!"
With a respectful bow, Chenxin departed the Zhou Estate and set off for the sect.
Watching Chenxin leave, a gaunt man with a deathly pale face, sunken eyes, and heavy black circles smirked from a third-floor window of a nearby inn.
The man's chilling laugh followed Chenxin's retreating figure.
The news of Sword Douluo Chenxin being appointed as the Guardian Douluo of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had spread like wildfire. Invitations had been sent to every major faction, ensuring that no Soul Master, except for those living under a rock, remained unaware.
"Zhou Yi, you dared ruin my elder brother's plans and kill him. This time, I'll make you pay with blood!"
"You just married two stunning beauties, didn't you? I'll make you watch as they…"
Luo Yifan's eyes gleamed with cruelty, perversion, and malice.
He was the younger brother of Luo Zhifan. His martial soul was the Sea-Stabilizing Staff, and his talent surpassed that of his elder brother. He had already become a powerful Soul Douluo with eight Soul Rings.
Still, he didn't regard Zhou Yi highly.
To Luo Yifan, Zhou Yi's victory over his brother could only have been achieved through underhanded means like poisoning or ambush.
As for why his brother wasn't prepared?
It was likely because of Tang Yuehua—a beauty who might have distracted him during his final moments.
Now, Luo Yifan planned to ambush Zhou Yi in turn, tormenting him while indulging in Zhou Yi's wives as vengeance.
For this, he had hidden in Notting City, patiently waiting for Sword Douluo Chenxin to leave.
Though he was a Soul Douluo, the gap between him and a Titled Douluo was vast.
But now that Chenxin was gone, Notting City was defenseless.
As night descended, stars dotted the sky like waterdrops.
In the Zhou Estate's rear courtyard, Zhou Yi lounged in a hot spring, his head resting on Li Baishi's soft embrace, while Li Shishi attended to him at his side. The atmosphere was serene and indulgent.
Nearby, Liu Erlong and Ah Yin reclined on rocking chairs, enjoying a tranquil evening.
"Husband, I've advanced another level today," Li Baishi said softly, her voice filled with joy as she massaged Zhou Yi's temples with delicate hands as white as jade.
"Not bad," Zhou Yi replied lazily, his eyes remaining closed.
"Hus—"
Li Shishi began to speak but abruptly stopped when she noticed a pale-faced man with dark, sunken eyes dart into the courtyard like a shadow.
Liu Erlong and Ah Yin glanced at the intruder briefly but didn't move from their chairs, utterly indifferent to his arrival.
"Husband, there's an intruder," Li Shishi said softly, tugging at Zhou Yi's arm.
"Mm."
Zhou Yi lazily opened his sleepy eyes, his gaze falling on the thief who resembled a feeble, disheveled playboy. With an air of indifference, he drawled,
"To what do I owe the honor?"
As a model citizen of the new era, Zhou Yi refrained from shouting for bloodshed immediately. At the very least, he gave the intruder an opportunity to leave his last words.
"You little bastard! Living it up like a king, aren't you?"
Luo Yifan's eyes burned with jealousy as he saw Zhou Yi lounging in a hot spring with two stunning beauties by his side and two more nearby. A wave of envy and resentment surged through him.
A good-for-nothing like him, how could he deserve so many beautiful women?
"So, is that your farewell speech?"
Zhou Yi's expression remained calm as he scrutinized the man before him, pondering if he was an enemy or just a random intruder.
If it was an enemy, it was essential to uncover his origins before eliminating him. Only by uprooting the problem could one ensure lasting peace.
"You little brat, do you even realize the position you're in?"
Luo Yifan stepped closer, his Sea Stabilizing Staff Martial Soul materializing. Eight dazzling soul rings appeared beneath his feet, pulsing with rhythm.
"Soul Douluo!"
Li Shishi gasped, shocked to discover that this intruder was a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse.
However, neither she nor the others appeared worried.
Forget a Soul Douluo—
Even a Titled Douluo would be forced to their knees here.
"Scared now, aren't you?" Luo Yifan sneered arrogantly. "Too bad it's already too late!"
"Don't worry, I won't kill you right away." His tone turned venomous. "I'll cripple your limbs and let you watch as I take excellent care of your delicate little wives!"
"Remember this name: Luo Yifan! Brother to Luo Zhifan!"
"You sure like to talk."
Zhou Yi looked at Luo Yifan with disdain. "Any other brothers or cousins I should know about?"
"What's the matter? Worried I can't handle taking care of your—"
Splurt!
Before he could finish his sentence, the mocking grin froze on his face as he suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood. His legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground.
"You—!"
His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Zhou Yi.
He realized he had been poisoned.
He tried to circulate his Soul Power to suppress the toxin, but it was futile. The venom coursing through him rendered his Soul Power useless, leaving him writhing in pain as though pierced by countless needles.
"When... did you poison me?"
"The moment you stepped inside," Zhou Yi replied nonchalantly. "The poison only activates when you use your Martial Soul or circulate your Soul Power."
This backyard was Zhou Yi's domain, fortified with countless traps and mechanisms. Not even a Titled Douluo could leave unscathed.
The poison came from the rare flowers and herbs planted around the courtyard. Though harmless individually, their combined presence produced a deadly toxin.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yi's companions—Liu Erlong, Ah Yin, Li Shishi, and Li Baishi—had long since taken a special antidote he provided. The antidote not only neutralized the toxins but also turned the ambient aroma into a health tonic that fortified their bodies.
"Want to die painlessly? Then start talking—do you have any accomplices?"
Zhou Yi, holding Li Shishi in his arms, spoke with cold detachment.
"You... you're a master of poison arts! Even a Soul Douluo like me couldn't escape your trap. No wonder my brother fell to you!" Luo Yifan lamented bitterly.
He had severely underestimated Zhou Yi. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that a mere Soul Elder from a small courtyard in Nuoding City would bring him to his knees.
[TL/N: Luo Yifan doesn't know that Zhou Yi is already a Soul King.]
"I am a Red-robed Cardinal of the Spirit Hall!" Luo Yifan barked desperately. "If you kill me, the Spirit Hall will not let this go! Let me walk away, and I swear never to bother you again!"
"Enough nonsense. I'll handle this myself."
Zhou Yi, his patience exhausted, activated the violet-gold glow in his eyes. Luo Yifan's consciousness was instantly subdued.
This was the first time Zhou Yi had utilized the power of his transformed eyes, and the results were remarkable. Luo Yifan obediently confessed everything, down to the last detail.
Even if Zhou Yi had asked the color of his underwear, Luo Yifan would have answered without hesitation.
But Zhou Yi had no interest in such trivialities.
It turned out Luo Yifan, despite his high rank in the Spirit Hall, was a vile man who had committed countless atrocities. He was often the one cleaning up the messes left by his brother, Luo Zhifan.
Aside from the two brothers, their family had no significant figures.
"That settles it—you can die now."
With a thought, Zhou Yi unleashed the full power of his eyes, obliterating Luo Yifan's consciousness.
The Soul Douluo's lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
"You're amazing, husband!"
Li Shishi and Li Baishi's eyes sparkled with admiration as they gazed at Zhou Yi. Their adoration was practically overflowing.
From start to finish, Zhou Yi hadn't even lifted a finger, yet he had taken down a Soul Douluo. Even a Titled Douluo would find such a feat daunting.
"There's more where that came from," Zhou Yi said with a sly grin as he lifted Li Shishi and Li Baishi out of the hot spring.
"Darling!"
Their cheeks flushed bright red, and they buried their faces in his chest, fully understanding his intentions.
"Erlong, Ah Yin, it's late. You should get some rest too," Zhou Yi said, glancing at the other two women.
"Understood, husband," Liu Erlong replied, though her expression turned serious.
"Husband, Luo Yifan was a Red-robed Cardinal of the Spirit Hall. Although he deserved to die, his death might provoke retaliation. Should we dispose of the body?"
"No need."
Zhou Yi shook his head and cast a cold look at the corpse.
"My Zhou residence is not a place where anyone can come and go as they please. Let this serve as a warning."
With a swift kick, he sent Luo Yifan's body flying out of the courtyard, landing at the main gate.
"Who goes there?"
The guards stationed at the gate immediately surrounded the figure, only to discover it was a corpse.
Moments later, Zhou Yi's indifferent voice echoed:
"Luo Yifan, the notorious flower thief. Hang his body on the city wall for three days as a warning!"
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